Operator&#39;s fluid pressure control valve device



OPERATORS FLUID PRESSURE CONTROL. VALVE DEVICE Filed April 50, 1947 IN V ENTOR Afihur JBeni "621/ ATTORNEY Patentecl Mar. 10, 1953 Oren-Area's FLUID PRESSURE oomnol; VALVE DEVICE ti e J. Bent, Penn Township, netta County," Pa., assignor to Westinghouse Brake'company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 30, 1947, Serial N6. 745,074

, 1 V This invention relates-to fluid pressure control mechanism, and more particularly to a control valve device for controlling operation oi" a fluid pressure actuating cylinder such asmight be used for opening and closing bomb bay doors on a military airplane; w

Although this invention will be described as embodied in airplane control apparatus, it will be understood that it may be embodied in other control apparatus. e l i.

During the recent-war our military bombing planes would fly missions over a target area, open the bomb doors and drop their bombs on an ob,- iective. The timerequired for opening and closing the bomb doors was relatively longso that the enemy observing-from the ground the open or opening bomb doors on the approaching aircraft were thereby forewarned of attack and immediately sent up a defensive flak barrage which reduced the efiectiveness'goi our missions. V

The principal object of "the present invention is therefore the provision of an'improved fluid pres sure control valve device particularly adapted for use in an improved bomb door actuating mechanism which is operative to open and close bomb doors at a rate sorapidas compared to previous mechanisms of this general type, that opening thereof need not be initiated until substantially the instant it is desired to release-the bombs; following which thedoors maybe as; quickly.closed.

Other objects andiadvantages willjbecome apparent from the following mo're detailed description of the invention. v y

In the accompanying drawing, the single, figure is a diagrammatic, sectionalvi'ew of a fluid pressure system embodying: a control valve device constructed in accordance 'withth'e invention.

Description As shown in'the drawing; the reference'numeral I designatesa fluid'pre'ssure cylinder for actuating or positioning a'devic'e such as an airplane bomb door. Aflcont'rol valve device 2, embodying the invention, is provided for controlling operation of the cylinder I, and an electrical operators switch or controller 3 is provided for normally controlling said valve device 2 at a station which may be remote therefrom.

The fluid pressure cylinder], employed only for illustratingan application of the invention, may comprise a casing g in which is disposed a piston 5 which divides the interior of said casing into pressure chambers 6 and :1. End "covermembers 8 and 9 close criteren'ds ofichambers 6 and '1, respectively: A pistonxrod I0 is provided" for connecting" the piston i'to a device to be actuated (not shown) 'sucll asanairplane bomb door.

The valve device? gcomprises acasing"li in which are disposed and spaced iapart' inparallel relationship Qu nchin other two si i1ar;control valve assemblies l2 and I3 for'controlling supply of fluidhunder relatively high pressure from a supply pipe 14 to the respective pressure chambers 6 ,andl of cylinder 1 and its release therefrom byway ofpipes l5 and I6 respectively. Each assembly l2 and comprises a control piston I7, and two similar pilot-valve assemblies I8 and is are disposed in parallel and spaced apart relation in leasing tll, between assemblies l2 and I3, foigcontrollingoperation. of the two pistons.

i1. Two similar solenoids 29 and 2! are disposed adjacent the ends cf the respective pilot valve assemblies l8 and. i Band arranged to actuate said assemblies. Each of the solenoids is connected to the switch 3 which .contrclsthe ,energization thereof. emergency lever 22 isdisposed outside casing H opposite the pilot valve assemblies l6 and i9 and 'arrangedto actuate same in the event that either of thesolenoids and 2! should fail to operate as intended. s

Eachof the controlrvalve assemblies .12 and i3 embodies a bore 23' open atopposite ends to two chambers 24 and 25 inthe casing] L Two similar cylindrical bushing. members 2% and 2? are inserted one in each end of thebore zt at the junction of said bore with chambers 24 and 25, respec-. tively. The bushing member 26 in each assembly i2 and i3 held in placeby aforaminated sleeve member 28 which is disposedin chamber 24 between a removable iittingjS and the outer end or" said bushing member 226. .Anannular shoulder 30 is formed. in,,the bushing member 2% which seats against a corresponding casing. shoulder for locating said bushing 26 in the bore 23. vsimilarly, bushing member 2'! is provided with an annular shoulder 3! which seats on a corresponding casing shoulder to locate said bushing member with respect tobore 23. Asimilar foraminated sleev member 32 isclamped between bushing member 21 andla removable fitting 33 within chamber. 25, Bushing member 26 comprisesan annular seat ib 36 which projects into the end of the foraminatedsleeve member 28 and encircles one endef a centralchamber closed at its opposite end by a wall 36. The rib 3 t is provided for accommodating anexhaust valve 3 which is slidablydisposed thesleeve member 28. The bushing member 26 is provided with radial ports 38 which open the chamber35 vthere of with an annular chamber39 formed by registering groovestqiil and 4 1 in bore 23 and said bushing member gfi respectivelyh Annular chamber 39 of valve assembly -l2 is .open'. .t o the corresponding annular chamber 39 in valve assembly 13 and tothe atmosphere by way ofea passage 22 in casing ll. Again in each valve .assemblylZ and I3, thebushingmember 21 is provided with a central chamber 23 which opens in from theouter end thereofgadjacentchamber'25 to an endwall 3 i formed therein, The. chamber 43 is provided with radial through ,ports 45 which open said chamber 53 to an annular chamber 46 formed by registering grooves 41 and 4% in casing H and bushing member 2'1, respectively. A casing passage 49 connects the annular chamber 45 with the chamber 24. An annular seat rib is formed in bushing member 21 encircling the open end of chamber 43 for accommodating a supply valve 5! which is slidably disposed in the sleeve member 32 and urged towards said rib 59 by a compression spring 52 which is interposed between said valve and the fitting 33. The piston I1 is slidably mounted in a cylinder formed in the bore 23 between end walls 36 and '34 of bushing members 26 and 2'1, respectively, and divides said cylinder into a fluid pressure chamber 56 adjacent wall 36 above said piston and a fluid pressure chamber 55 under said piston adjacent wall 4:2, as viewed in the drawing. A rod 53 extends from piston I1 through chamber 55, a central bore 5? in end wall 45 with which bore said rod is in scalable and slidable contact, and projects into chamber 33 of bushing member 21 for contact with supply valve 5|. The projecting end of rod 56 is curved for point contact with valve 56 to allow freedom for alignment of said valve in seating on rib 5%. A rod 58 extends from the opposite side of piston ll through chamber 54 and a bore 59 in end wall 36 to project into chamber 35 of bushing member 25. The projecting end of rod 58 is provided with an annular shoulder 65;, for engagement with exhaust valve 3?, and with a reduced portion 6] which projects therefrom slidably through a central opening 62 in said valve 31. An exhaust valve member 63 disposed in chamber 24 is held seated on the projecting end of rod portion 6| by a compression spring 5 which is interposed between the fitting 2t and said member 63. The valve member 53 is normally disposed away from valve 3'! opposite to one end of a small opening or openings 55 which extend through said valve 31 for opening chamber 24 with chamber 35 in bushing member 26.

The fitting 29 of valve assembly !2 is connected to the pipe l5 which thereby opens the chamber 24 of said assembly [2 with the fluid pressure chamber 6 of cylinder 1. The fitting 29 of valve assembly i3 is connected to the pipe i6 which thereby opens the chamber 24 of said assembly l3 with the fluid pressure chamber 1 of cylinder I. The fitting 33 of valve assembly i2 is connected to the fluid pressure supply pipe l adapted to be supplied with fluid underpressure from any suitable source of fluid under pressure (not shown), while the chamber 25 of valve assembly I3 which is open to the corresponding chamber in assembly 12 by way of a casing passage 56 is also open to said source. The fitting 33 of valve assembly !3 is blanked off; its removal allows for removal and insertion of parts of said assembly as does removal of corresponding fitting 33 of assembly l2 and respective fittings 29.

The pilot valve assemblies l8 and 19 arranged in parallel and spaced apart relation, intermediate the valve assemblies i2 and i3, each comprises a bushing member 67 which is inserted in sealing engagement in a casing bore 68 and held in place by a plate member 69, removably secured to the casing by cap screws 79. Each bushing member 61 is provided with a central bore H which extends longitudinally therethrough and registers coaxially with a casing bore 12 for accommodating a rod shaped pilot valve i3 which extends through bores H and 2'2 in sealing engagement therewith. Two annular chambers '54 and 15 are formed and spaced apart in each bushing member 61 encircling the pilot valve 73. Each pilot valve has a bore 18 open to two spaced apart radial ports 16 and Ti, adapted in a release position of the valve, in which it is shown in the drawing, to establish communication between chamber i5 and atmosphere, and adapted in another or supply position to establish communication between chamber M and 15.

The annular chamber la in each pilot valve assembly l8 and I9 is open to the casing passage 65, extending between chambers 25 of valve assemblies l2 and lit, by way of a registering passage Stc in the respective bushing member 5?. The annular chamber 15 in pilot valve assembly i8 is open to the fluid pressure chamber 54 above piston H in valve assembly 12 and to chamber 55 under piston il in valve assembly it by way of registering passages '19 in the respective bushing member 57 and in the casing H. The annular chamber 55 in pilot valve assembly 19 is open to the corresponding chamber 54 in valve assembly 53 and with the corresponding chamber 55 in valve assembly i2 by way of registering passages 89 in the respective bushing member '5! of said assembly iii and in the casing l I.

Each solenoid 28 and 2! comprises a rod 8! which is pivotally connected at its outer end to one end of a lever 82 the opposite end of which lever slidably engages with a portion of casing H. A curved portion of each lever 82 fits around the upper projecting end of the respective pilot valve is to form a shoulder 83 for engagement with an annular shoulder 84 formed on a flange 35 connected to said pilot valve T3. The shoulder 84 on each pilot valve i3 is urged into engagement with shoulders 83 of the respective lever 32,

A which are thereby urged toward the casing, by a compression spring 86. The spring 3% acts against a piston 32 of a piston and rod member 88 which is pivotally connected at 89 to a balance member equidistant from opposite ends thereof which ends are in slidable engagement with upwardly projecting ends of the pilot valves it. The piston 8'5 of member 88 is slidably and guidably disposed in a bore 9! which extends into a portion of casing H equidistant between the solenoids 20 and if. The spring 86 is interposed between the piston 81 and the portion of easing H which forms the end wall of said bore. The bore 9! is open to the atmosphere via a branch of the passage $2 in the casing l i.

The emergency lever 22 is disposed opposite to downwardly projecting end portions of pilot valves is and is pivotally connected at its mid-point 93 to a projecting arm 95 formed integral with casing H. An opening 95 is formed in each of the opposite ends of said lever to provide for connection with cables or other suitable means (not shown) for actuating said lever.

The switch 3 may be of the single pole double throw type having a pole 98 connected to one pole 91 of each solenoid 23 and 21 by wires 58 and 99, and terminals 199 and 265 connected, respectively, by wires Hi2 and 33 to opposite poles I64 and of the solenoids 2d and 2!. A battery I96 is connected in wire 98 to furnish a suitable source of electrical energy for solenoids 2E] and 2|.

Operation With the parts of the system in the position in which they are shown in the drawing, both terminals I00 and IN are disconnected from pole 96 in the operators switch 3, and both of the solenoids 20 and 2| are therefore de-energized, which permits the spring 86 to urge the pilot valves 13 of both valve assemblies i 8 and iii to their normal positions in which they are shown in the drawing. In the normal position, the port 76 in pilot valve I3 of valve assembly I B is in registry with annular chamber 15 of said assembly and the port ll of said valve is open to the atmosphere, thus opening the fluid pressure chamber 54 of valve assembly I2 and the fluid pressure chamber 55 of valve assembly I3 to the atmosphere by way of passages 19, said annular chamber 75, and the passage I5 in said pilot valve. The corresponding port It in valve 13 of valve assembly I9 is in registry with the annular chamber I5 of said assembly while the port I? of said valve 13 is open to the atmosphere, thus the fluid pressure chamber 54 of valveassembly I3 and the chamber 55 of valve assembly I2 ar opened to the atmosphere by way of passages 55, said annular chamber '55, and the corresponding passage 78 in said pilot'valve.

In the absence of fluid under pressure in pressure chamber 54 in either of the valve assemblies I 2 and i3 no force is thereby exerted on th pistons I7 of said assemblies in the direction of respective supply valves 5I so-that the springs 52 are effective to maintain the supply valves 5! seated on the respective ribs 55, thus closing off the supply chambers 25 from the chambers 53 in the respective bushing members 2? and consequently, from the chambers 6 and i, in cylinder I, which are open respectively to said chambers 43 by way of pipes I5 andv i6, respective chambers 24, passages 49, annular chambers 55, and ports 45. In the absence of any fluid under pressure in the chambers 55 of valve assemblies I2 and I3 acting on the respective pistons I1 the springs 64 are effective to seat the rods 5'5 attached to the under side of said pistons on the seated supply valves 5|. Valve members 53 are disposed away from the openings 55 in the respective exhaust valves 37 which, when the valve device 2 is positioned as shown in the drawing, seat themselves on the seat ribs 35. The chainbers 6 and I of cylinder I are therefore opened to the atmosphere by way of the respective chambers 2 1 in valve device 2, the openings 65 through valves 37, the chambers 35' and ports 38 in respective bushing members 26, annular chambers 39, and the passages 42: in casing II of said device 2. Assume, that the supply pipe I4 is connected to a suitable source of fluid under pressure (not shown) and that thereby the chambers 25 of both valve assemblies are charged with fluid under pressure and that both annular chambers I4 of pilot valve assemblies I8 and I5 are similarly charged by way of the passage 86.

If it is now desired to efiect movement of the piston 5 in cylinder I from its extreme left-hand position as shown in the drawing to an opposite extreme right-hand position, the operators switch 3 is positioned to make electrical connections between the pole 96 and terminal I55, thus effecting supply of electrical energy from battery I06 to solenoid 20 which is thereby energized, while the solenoid 2I remains. de-energized.

Energization of solenoid 20 moves its rod 8! upward, raising one end of the respective lever 82 the opposite end of which remains in sliding contact with the casing I I, and in so doing by, cooperation between shoulders 83 and 54 carries the pilot valve 13 of pilot valve-assembly I8 upward, as viewed in the drawing, against opposition of spring 86 which is further compressed by movement of the balance membertfl, one end of which slidably pivots on the upper end of corresponding valve 13 of assembly I9 as its opposite end is raised byv slidable contact with valve 13 ofthe assembly I8.v

6 Upward movements. of" pilot valve I3 of valve assembly I8 continues until the ports 16 and Il thereof register, respectively; with annular chambers l5 and 15 in the bushing member 6'! of said assembly, thereby establishing communication Y between said chambersby way of said ports and the passage lil connected thereto. Fluid under pressure supplied to the respective annular chamber 74 of assembly I8, which is open to supply pipe I4 as previously described, now flows by way of the passage 18 and annular chamber 15 of said assembly I8, andcasing passages l9 to the fluid pressure chamber 54 above piston ll of valve assembly I2 and'to the chamber 55 under corresponding piston I'I of valve assembly I3.

Fluid under pressure thus supplied to chamber 55 of valve assembly I2 acts on the upper face of piston I? to cause a downward" force to act through attached rod 55-on the upper face of the seated supply valve 5 "of'said assembly, which valve is thereby unseated by downward move-- ment of said piston when said force becomes sufficiently great to overcometheopposing force of respective spring 52 and pressure of fluid in chamber 25 acting on the underside'ofsai'd' valve 5!. As piston lief-assembly I2 moves downward it carries attached rod 58-witl'r itand allows the respective spring 64 toseat the respective valve member 53 on theexhaust valve'3l of said assembly, thereby closing the opening or openings 55 in said valve 31. Fluid under'pressureis now free to flow from the supplypipe I4 to the pipe I5 and connected fluidpressure chamber 6 of cylinder by way of the chamber 25, the unseated supply valve 51, the chamber-4 3 and ports 55 in bushing member 21; the-annular chamber 55, casing passage 49, and thechamber 24, which is now closed to the atmosphere bythe seated valve member 63, respectively, in valve assembly i2.

At the same time, the previously mentioned fluid under pressure supplied to chamber 55 of valve assembly I3 exerts a force onthe'under side of piston II in saidassembly which acts through its attached rod 58 to unseat the respective exhaust valve 31, when said force becomes sufiiciently great to overcome action' of the respective spring 64. The pressure chamber I of cylinder I is now freely open to the atmosphere by way of pipe I5, chamber 24', the unseated exhaust valve'3'I, the chamber 35 and ports 38 in bushing member'26; annular chamber 39. all of valve assembly I3, and the'passages 52 in casing I I.

A differential in pressureof fluid inchambers t and l of cylinder I is therebycreated' which is suiiiciently great to move the' piston 5 rapidly from its extreme left-hand position to its opposite extreme right-hand position, which movement of piston 5w carries the attached rod it with it, andif considered to be connected to a bomb bay door (not shown) of an airplane would thereby rapidly open it for release of bombs.

Since chamber 7 isopen to the-atmosphere by way of the unseatedexhaust valve 3'! of assembly I3 rather than by wayof the relatively small opening 55 inlsaidvalve during motion of piston 5 toward cham-ber 'l, little resistance is offered to displacement of fluid in chamber 1 to impede motion of said piston, so thatrit, moves rapidly during its traverse.

If the cylinder I is employed-for operating a bomb door it is desirable, to release, the fluid under pressure therefrom. immediately after its operation "to. eitherppenv or, close. saididoor to prevent explosion of said cylinder if ruptured by flak or the like.

To thus release fluid under pressure from cylinder I after it has been moved to its right-hand position, the operators switch 3 is moved to break contact between the pole 96 and terminal we, and thereby de-energize the solenoid 20. The spring 86 acting through piston member 88 and balance member 90 becomes efiective to return the pilot valve 13 of pilot valve assembly 18 to its normal position, as shown in the drawing, carrying with it the respective rod 8| and lever 82.

The annular chamber 14 of the pilot valve assembly [8 is thereby again disconnected from the adjacent annular chamber 15 which is again open to the atmosphere by way of opening 16, passage 73, and opening 7! in pilot valve 13 of said assembly [8. Fluid under pressure previously supplied to chambers d and 55 of valve assemblies 12 and I3, respectively, is now vented to the atmosphere 'by way of passages 19 connected to the annular chamber 15 of pilot valve assembly 15.

Pressure of fluid is again equalized in chambers 5d and chambers 55 on opposite sides of pistons H in both valve assemblies 1 2 and 13. In assembly 12, the spring 52 becomes eiiective to close the supply valve 5!, return the piston H and attached rods 56 and 58 to their normal position as shown in the drawing, and thereby unseat the exhaust valve member 63 from the exhaust valve 31. In assembly l3, the spring 64 acting through valve member 63 and rod 58 becomes effective to move the piston ll and attached rod 56 downwardly to its normal position limited by engagement of said rod 56 with the upper surface of the seated supply valve 5!, thereby allowing the exhaust valve 3'! to reseat .on the rib 34 of bushing member 26.

Fluid under pressure in chamber 6 of cylinder 1 is now vented to atmosphere by way of pipe 15 and, in valve assembly I2, the chamber 24, the unseated valve member 63, opening or openings 65 in exhaust valve 37, the chamber 35 and ports 38 in bushing member 28, and annular chamber 39 and passage 42 in casing H.

Now assume that it is desired to return the piston 5 of cylinder 1 to its extreme left-hand position, as shown in the drawing. The operators switch 3 is positioned to make contact between pole 96 and terminal NH to thereby elfect energization of solenoid 2! while solenoid 28 remains de-energized.

Upon energization of solenoid 2 I, the rod Bl of said solenoid, acting through the lever 82 attached thereto, raises the pilot valve 13 of pilot valve assembly 19 upward against opposition of spring 86 acting thereon through member 83 and balance member 96 in manner similar to action a previously described with respect to energization of solenoid 20. The pilot valve 13 of the pilot valve assembly [-9 is thus so positioned as to connect, by way of passage 18, annular chambers 14 and 15 of said assembly. Fluid under pressure supplied to annular chamber M of assembly 19, which is open to supply pipe M, as previously described, is therefore now free to flow to fluid pressure chamber 54 above piston IT in valve assembly l3 and to chamber 55 under corresponding piston I! in valve assembly !2. The differentials in pressures of fluid across the pistons H in assemblies l2 and I3 causes piston ll in the former assembly to move upward and piston I! in the latter assembly to move downward, which is just the reverse of the previous action described with respect to energization of solenoid 29. It will readily be seen, therefore, that in valve assembly [2 this movement of piston I1 and attached rod 58 unseats the exhaust valve 37 and thereby freely opens the pressure chamber 6 to the atmosphere by way of the pipe It, said assembly I2, and the casing passages 22. Also it will be seen that in valve assembly I3 downward movement of piston I! and attached rods 58 and 56 allows the spring 64 to become effective to seat valve member 63 on valve 31, closing opening 65 therethrough, and overcomes pressure of fluid in chamber 25 and of spring 52 acting on supply valve 5| to thereby unseat said valve 5l. Fluid under pressure now flows from the supply pipe l4, through chamber 25 in valve assembly l2, casing passage 56, and in the valve assembly l3 the corresponding chamber 25, past the unseated supply valve 51 thence through chamber 43 and ports 45 in bushing member 21, passage 49 and chamber 24, which is now closed to atmosphere by the seated exhaust valve member 53, to the pipe l6 and fluid pressure chamber '1 in cylinder 1. Differential in pressures of fluid in chambers 6 and 1 across piston 5 now causes said piston to move rapidly from its extreme right-hand position to its extreme left-hand position, in which it is shown in the drawing.

Now to release or vent fluid under pressure from the fluid pressure chamber '1 of cylinder l, in a manner similar to that previously described, the operators switch 3 is positioned to break the contact between the pole 96 and terminal IN to thereby de-energize solenoid 2|, while solenoid 23 remains ole-energized. The spring 86 now becomes effective to return the pilot valve 13 of pilot valve assembly 19 to its normal position in which it is shown in the drawing, thereby disconnecting annular chamber M from annular chamber lb of said assembly and connecting the last named chamber to the atmosphere by way of passage 28 in said pilot valve. Fluid under pressure is now vented from chamber 54 of valve assembly 13 and from chamber 55 of valve assembly 12 by way of passages and the now normally positioned pilot valve assembly 19. In assembly l3, the spring 52 now becomes effective to resea-t the supply valve 5| and unseat the exhaust valve member 63 by returning piston l1 and attached rods 56 and 58 to normal position. Fluid under pressure from the chamber 1 of the cylinder i is now vented to the atmosphere by way of the pipe l6 and, in the valve assembly l3, the chamber 26, the unseated valve member 63, opening 65 in valve 31, chamber 35 and ports 38 in bushing member 26, annular chamber 39 and passages 62 in casing H. At the same time, in valve assembly 12, the spring 64 is rendered effective by release of fluid under pressure in chamber 55 to return piston l1 and attached rods 58 and 56 to normal position, allowing exhaust valve 31 to resea-t on rib 34.

After fluid under pressure is supplied to chamber E or 7 of cylinder I for moving piston 5 to either one of its opposite positions and the switch device 3 is positioned as shown in the drawing, the fluid under pressure is vented from said chamber past either of the unseated valve memhere 63 which is opened by a respective spring 52, as previously described. These valve members 63 seat over the opening or openings 65 in exhaust valves 31, the sum area of which openings 65 is relatively small compared to the area of the openings in bushing members 26 closed by valves 37. The valve members 53 are employed in the manner set forth in preference to opening the valves 31 against opposition of action of pressure of fluid in chamber 24 so as to require springs 52 of lower spring constant and smaller size, and pistons ll of smaller area, than would otherwise be required, and due to which, the control valve device 2 can be smaller in size and lighter in weight.

In the event that either solenoid 20 or 2| should fail to operate, the pilot valves 13 of pilot valve assemblies 18 and I9 in the valve device 2 may be operated by the emergency lever 22 which responds to a pull as thrust on either end, as the case ma be, to move one of said valves 13 upwardly in fashion similar to movement by either of the solenoids 20 or 2| for the same purpose and with the same results.

. Summary From the above description, it will now be seen that I have provided a control mechanism for operating a bomb door of an airplane quickly and positively in response to suitable operation of the operators control device, embodying the invention. The operators control device is relatively simple, compact and light in weight, as required for such use, and is operative by a relatively small pilot force for controlling actuating fluid to the operating cylinder at such pressure and in such an amount as necessary to obtain the desired speed of operation of the piston in said cylinder. The actuating fluid is preferably in the form of compressed air, and the operators control device provides for dissipating the compressed air from the operating cylinder immediately at the end of obtaining a desired operation so as to minimize possibility of explosion of the cylinder if hit by a flying missile.

While one illustrative embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, it is not my intention to limit its scope to that embodiment or otherwise than by th terms of the appended claims.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a fluid pressure valve device the combination with a casing havin a through bore open at one end to a fluid pressure supply chamber and at the opposite end to a control chamber, a first valve seat bushing member sealably mounted in said bore having an exhaust valve seat formed therein around one end of a central chamber opening-into said control chamber andalso having an end wall formed therein closing the opposite end of said central chamber, said central chamber being open also to atmosphere by way of radial ports through said bushing member and a casing passage registering therewith, an exhaust valve slidably disposed in said control chamber, spring means for urging said exhaust valve to seat on said exhaust valve seat, a second valve seat bushing member sealably mounted in said bore opposite to said first bushing member and spaced away therefrom and having an annular supply valve seat formed therein at one end of a central chamber open to said supply chamber and also having an end wall formed therein closing the opposite end of the central chamber, the last named chamber being open also to said control'chamber by way of ports through said second bushing and a registering casing passage, a supply valve .slidably disposed in said supply chamber, spring means for urging said supply valve to seat on said supply valve seat, a fluid pressure piston means slidably disposed in said bore between the bushings and having a fluid pressure chamber at each of theopposite sides thereof and comprising valve actuating rods attached thereto and projecting centrally therefrom through the end walls of the valve bushings for engagement with said exhaust valve and said supply valve, respectively, pilot valve means for controlling supply of fluid under pressure to either one of said fluid pressure chambers for operating said piston to unseat either the respective supply valve 'or exhaust valve, and means for actuating said pilot valve means.

2. A valve device comprising, a casing having a first and a second control opening, a fluid pressure supply opening and a fluid pressure exhaust opening, first normally closed supply valve means for opening and closing communication between said supply opening and said first control opening, second normally closed supply valve means for opening and closing communication between said supply opening and said second control opening, first normally closed exhaust valve means for opening and closing communication between said first control opening and said exhaust opening, second normally closed exhaust valve means for controlling communication between said second control openin and said exhaust opening, first fluid pressure piston means for actuating said first valve means, second fluid pressure piston means for actuating the second valve means, and means comprising two spaced apart rod like pilot valves one being operative to supply fluid under pressure to said first piston means for opening said first supply valve means and to said second piston means for opening said second exhaust valve means and the other being operative to supply fluid under pressure to said first piston means for opening said first exhaust valve means and to said second piston means for opening said second supply valve means, a beam engaging adjacent ends of said valves, resilient means acting on said beam urging said valves in one direction, two levers, one for each of said valves, through which said valves may be urged in the opposite direction, a solenoid for each lever operable upon energization to actuate the respective lever, and manually operative lever means fulcrumed on the casing and engaging the opposite ends of said valves for selectively actuating same.

3. A fluid pressure valve device comprising a casing enclosing a supply chamber, a delivery chamber and an exhaust chamber, a supply valve seat, an exhaust valve seat, a fluid pressure supply valve cooperable with said supply valve seat to control fluid pressure communication between said delivery chamber and said supply chamber, an oppositely seating fluid pressure exhaust valve cooperable with said exhaust valve seat to control fluid pressure communication between said delivery chamber and said exhaust chamber, a piston having a pressure chamber at each of its opposite'sides and interposed between said supply valve and said exhaust valve, a first rod extending from one side of said piston for unseating said supply valve upon movement of said piston by fluid under pressure in the pressure chamber at the opposite side of said piston, a second rod extending from said opposite side of said piston for unseating said exhaust valve upon movement of said piston by fluid under pressure in the pressure chamber at said one side of said piston, means providing for movement of said second rod relative to said exhaust valve, when seated, upon movement of said piston to open said supply valve, a compression spring cooperable with said casing and with said supply valve to urge the latter toward said supply valve seat, a small opening from said delivery chamber encircled by an exhaust valve member seat, an exhaust valve member cooperable with said exhaust valve member seat to control communication through said small opening between said delivery chamber and said exhaust chamber and adapted to be unseated by said second rod upon seatin of said supply valve by said compression spring, a bias spring cooperable with said casing to seat said exhaust valve member upon movement of said piston to open said supply valve, said exhaust valve member being relatively small with respect to said exhaust valve, and means for selectively supplying fluid under pressure to and releasing fluid under pressure from the pressure chambers.

4. A fluid pressure valve device comprising a casing enclosing a supply chamber, a delivery chamber and an exhaust chamber, a supply valve an oppositely seating fluid pressure exhaust valve cooperable with said exhaust valve seat to control fluid pressure communication between said delivery chamber and said exhaust chamber, a piston having a pressure chamber at each of its opposite sides and interposed between said supply valve and said exhaust valve, a first rod extending from one side of said piston for unseating said supply valve upon movement of said piston by fluid under pressure in the pressure chamber at the opposite side of said piston, a second rod extending from said opposite side of said piston for unseating said exhaust valve upon movement of said piston by fluid under pressure in the pressure chamber at said one side of said piston, means providing for movement of said second rod relative to said exhaust valve, when seated, upon movement of said piston to open said supply valve, a compression spring cooperable with said casin and with said supply valve to urge the latter toward said supply valve seat, a small opening extending through said exhaust valve between said delivery chamber and said exhaust chamber, an exhaust valve member seat formed in said exhaust valve and encircling said small opening, an exhaust valve member cooperable with said exhaust valve member seat for controlling communication through said small opening, said second rod having a portion of reduced cross section extending centrally through said exhaust valve for unseating contact with said exhaust valve member upon seating of said supply valve by said compression spring, a bias spring acting on said exhaust valve member for seating same upon movement of said piston to unseat said supply valve, and means for selectively supplying fluid under pressure to and releasing fluid under pressure from the pressure chambers.

5. A fluid pressure valve device comprising a casing enclosing a supply chamber, a delivery chamber and an exhaust chamber, a supply valve seat, an exhaust valve seat, a fluid pressure supply valve cooperable with said supply valve seat to control fluid pressure communication between said delivery chamber and said supply chamber, an oppositely seating fluid pressure exhaust valve cooperable with said exhaust valve seat to control fluid pressure communication between said delivery chamber and said exhaust chamber, a piston having a pressure chamber at each of its opposite sides and interposed between said supply valve and said exhaust valve, a first rod extending from one side of said piston for unseating said supply valve upon movement of said piston by fluid under pressure in the pressure chamber at the opposite side of said piston, a second rod extending from said opposite side of said piston for unseating said exhaust valve upon movement of said piston by fluid under pressure in the pressure chamber at said one side of said piston, means providing for movement of said second rod relative to said exhaust valve, when seated, upon movement of said piston to open said supply valve, a compression spring cooperable with said casing and with said supply valve to urge the latter toward said supply valve seat, a small opening extending through said exhaust valve between said delivery chamber and said exhaust chamber, an exhaust valve member seat formed in said exhaust valve and encircling said small opening, an exhaust valve member cooperable with said exhaust valve member seat for controlling communication through said small opening, said second rod having a portion of reduced cross section extending centrally through said exhaust valve for unseating contact with said exhaust valve member upon seating of said supply valve by said compression spring, a bias spring acting on said exhaust valve member for seating same upon movement of said piston to unseat said supply valve, two passages in said casing connected to the two pressure chambers, respectively, two spaced apart and parallel ar ranged rod like pilot valves having a normal position for opening said passages to atmosphere and being operable selectively upon movement out of their respective normal positions to supply fluid under pressure to one or the other of said passages, a rockable beam extending between and engaging adjacent ends of said pilot valves, a spring acting on said beam for urging said pilot valves to their normal positions, and means for individually moving said pilot valves out of their normal positions.

ARTHUR. J. BENT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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